Improvement in wheel-harrows



2 Sheets-Sheet 1 F. BRAMER.

I Wheel-Harrow. Y No. 206,2!8. Patented July 23,1878.

llllllll 1/ u WITNESSES INVENTOR i I Finn/l Emma).

NPETERS, PNOTO-LITNOGRAPHER, WASHINGTON. D C.

I hinged thereto as to allow the wheel-gan gs to UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE.

FRANK BRAMER, OF LITTLE FALLS, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN WHEEL-HARROWS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 206,2l, dated July 23,1878;

July 8,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK BRAHER, of Little Falls, in the county of Herkimer and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Wheel-Barrows, of which the following is a specification:

My invention relates to wheel-harrows of the class having wheel or disk gangs attached in sets to a (lraftconnection, so as to admit of a varying adjustment or relation thereto. Heretofore, so far as my knowledge extends, this adjustment has been effected and such relation has been maintained through the intervention of a hinged or adjustable connection, of such construction that while permitting the gangs to adjust themselves, or to be adjusted an gularly relatively to the line of draft, both in a vertical and horizontal direction, they were yet incapable of a free lateral swing or oscillation.

It is the object of my invention to obviate this obj ection, and to supply this desideratum, by so combining a main frame, mounted upon wheels, with a supplementary coupling-frame swing freely laterally relatively to the line of travel.

The subject-matter claimed is hereinafter specifically stated.

The accompanying drawings represent all my improvements as embodied in one machine in the best way now known to me. Obviously, however, the details of construction may be varied in various equivalent well-known ways without departing from the spirit of my invention. a

Figure '1 represents a plan view, Fig. 2 a side elevation, and Fig. 3 a rear elevation, of my improved machine.

In this instance the main wheel or carryingframe or draft-connection is shown as consistin g of an axle, A, supported on two main wheels, B B, and having a tongue, 0, rigidly secured thereto, and projecting in advance thereof. Wheel-gan gs D D, of well-known construction, are connected with the carryingframe or tongue by means of a V-shaped coupling-frame, E, and a swivel-joint, c, in front of the axle, a gang being connected to the rear or back end of each branch of the couplingframe, which latter might, if desired, behinged directly to the axle; but the construction shown application filed is preferable, as affording greater freedom of movement.

The gangs, in this instance, are shown as connected with the coupling-frame by means of vertical standards F and through bolts passing through the gang bars or frames, the eyes of the coupling frames, and a crossbeam, G, connecting the two standards, thus causing the gangs to move in unison to cultivate bothsides of a row without injuring the plants. Slots in the cross-beam admit of the standards being adjusted relatively to each other, and the sides of the coupling frame might also be made adjustable relatively to each other in welhknown ways to vary their distance apart. The mode of connection shown also permits the gangs to be adjusted horizontally at any desired angle to the line of draft or to each other; but these features are not claimed herein, bein g shown in Letters Patent for wheel-barrows No. 204,7 93, granted to me June 11, 187 8.

By the organization shown the wheel-gangs are not only free to swing laterally, but may also be inclined laterally, so as to work on side hills, or at an angle relatively to the main axle. The wheel-gangs may also be raised and lowered relatively to the main or carrying frame.

I11 order that the driver may control these movements, a lifting-lever, H, is pivoted on the main frame on each side of the tongue, and hinged to the coupling-frame. The driver, who rides 011 a seat, I, mounted on the main frame or tongue, or on an extension thereof, can readily actuate these levers either by his hands or feet, and thus control the vertical movements of the gangs, as well as their lateral inclination. The horizontallateral swing of the gangsunder the organization shown is regulated by the action of the plows on the ground when inclined; but it might be controlled by direct-actinglevers or cords and pulleys, as is customary in ridin gcultivators, which'latter class of machines have the movements above described.

So far as I am aware, however, I am the first ever to hinge wheel-gan gs to a main frame or carriage carrying the driver, and capable of lateral play relatively thereto, the advantage of which organization is obvious, as it relieves the wheelgangs of the weight of the driver, and enables them readily to be raised or lowered for purposes of adjustment or for transportation. I am also enabled to have one set of gangs in the ground while the other is in the air, which was impossible underthe old organization.

I claim as of my own invention- 1. lVheel-gangs pivoted to awheel or carryin g frame, and capable of swinging freely laterally relatively thereto, substantially as hereinbefore set forth.

2. The combination, substantiallyashereinbefore set forth, of the wheel or earryingirame, the coupling-frame suspended therefrom, and the wheel gangs mounted on the couplingl'rame.

3. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of the wheel or carrying frame, the tongue, the couplin g-frame pivoted in front of and crossing the axle, and the wheel gangs mounted on the rear of the coupling-frame, whereby the gangs can swing clear of the carryingwheels.

4. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of the W1] eel or earryin g frame, the coupling-frame pivoted thereto, and the wheel-gangs pivoted on the coupling-frame, whereby the gangs can swing vertically, lat orally, and at an angle, as well as be adjusted relatively to the tongue.

5. The combination, substantially as herein before set forth, of the Wheel or carrying frame, the coupling-frame, the wheel-gan gs, and the lifting-levers on the carrying-frame, whereby the gangs may be lifted clear of the ground.

In testimony whereof I have herenn to subscribed my name.

SIDNEY A. Looms, WAT'rs 'l. Looms. 

